Light-induced force on atoms in a monochromatic light field with arbitrary polarization

A. V. Bezverbnyi; G. Nienhuis; A. M. Tumaikin

doi:10.1117/12.328278

21 October 1998 Light-induced force on atoms in a monochromatic light field with arbitrary polarization

A. V. Bezverbnyi, G. Nienhuis, A. M. Tumaikin

Proceedings Volume 3485, 11th International Vavilov Conference on Nonlinear Optics; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.328278
Event: Eleventh International Vavilov Conference on Nonlinear Optics, 1997, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

The light force on slow atoms in a light field with arbitrary polarization distribution is explicitly evaluated in the case of an atomic transition J yields J with half-integer J values. The expression of the force is based on an exact analytical expression for the steady-state density matrix of the atoms. The force is naturally separated in contributions resulting from gradients of the field intensity, the polarization ellipticity, and the phase. In addition to a conservative part this force also contains a vortex component. In areas of spatial localization, where the total force vanishes, the atomic motion is governed by a potential, which in general is not harmonic for J greater than 1/2. Simple model of the formation of a one- or two-dimensional spatial atomic grating in a specific light field configuration illustrates the results.

Citation Download Citation

A. V. Bezverbnyi, G. Nienhuis, and A. M. Tumaikin "Light-induced force on atoms in a monochromatic light field with arbitrary polarization", Proc. SPIE 3485, 11th International Vavilov Conference on Nonlinear Optics, (21 October 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.328278

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available